HomePod had to potential to be both a great sounding speaker AND do all the things other smart speakers can do. For whatever reason, Apple did not incentivize devs to integrate apps and services like the competitors. They claimed this was to focus on being a great sounding speaker. That's a garbage excuse. The design and hardware is the primary driver (pun intended) of the sound quality. Software function can fill in the rest and Apple just let it die on the vine. It's a shame because I always thought I'd pull my family away from the Echo systems, but they just have way too much fun with all the different skills available.
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HomePod Mini Now Three Years Old: Here's What to Expect From the Next Generation
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I'd love to see it be truly portable with a detachable cord.
I'll take my Beolab 90's any day. Sure they are a tad more expensive but at least they won't be obsolete in a few years! 🤣
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Removing the smart assistant aspect from the equation, that’s a silly question. The technology behind automobile tire compounds improves year over year, and they predate speakers. Are you suggesting audio engineering stopped sometime in the 1970s? Just compare the audio on a 10 year old MacBook to one from today for an example.
Actually it isn't, because you can't connect to it via Bluetooth.
How much do you pay for the Echo skills? The developers don’t create them for free. Some offer subscriptions, but even those monetize your family through data collecting APIs.
This is what Apple means when they say they are focusing on it as a great sounding speaker (instead of a surveillance device).
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Absolutely THIS!
Good speakers can easily go DECADES. With care, they do not degrade, slow down, get 'long in tooth', etc like silicon tech. Smarts tied to mobile OSes are going to age out QUICKLY (notice how GEN1 HP can't stereo pair with GEN2 as just one example).
Along with "smarts" in phone, they can also live in Mac, AppleTV and iPad too. Those devices naturally have much shorter useful lifespans. And when you buy replacements, you get the newest "smarts" in them too.
Pair quality "dumb" speakers with a good Receiver or Amp and let your other tech be the smarts. Then you buy the speaker portion just ONCE and will likely still be enjoying it 4-8 phones, 2-3 Macs, etc from now... and it sounding just as good as day 1. That is almost certainly NOT going to be the case with any of these smart speakers... which have their end built in just like throwing out perfectly good screens in iMacs when the silicon tech is vintaged or conks.
Want to be smart about smart speakers? Buy quality "DUMB" ones and keep the "smarts" in the separate devices you already own. Else, it's practically guaranteed you'll be buying the dumb parts of smart speakers over and over again even though the ones you already own can still play with the exact same sound quality.
Wish:
- these could do Dolby Digital? "Dumb" speakers can deliver that decades ago.
- you could add a subwoofer or soundbar? "Dumb" speaker setups can add any number of speakers, including wall-shaking, window-breaking subs if one wants that. Add in a true center channel speaker for better-than-soundbar sound or any soundbar if you want one of those in the mix.
- you could have TRUE Atmos vs. faux Atmos? "Dumb" speakers setups can deliver true Atmos by putting speakers all around you and above you. Objective ears will definitely hear the difference. You'll NEVER find any professional theater with only a lone soundbar or 2 HPs down front. The pros put speakers all around the audience for a reason... which is not to waste a lot of money on something that isn't noticeable.
- you could AUX into them to play something that doesn't flow through an AppleTV or TV connection? "Dumb" speaker setups connected to a Receiver or AMP will give you all kinds of inputs so you can play anything on your best speakers... from ancient tech with no HDMI to future tech beyond today's HDMI.
- you could free up the Wifi "hogging" streaming anything eats? "Dumb" speakers don't need ANY wifi at all. Instead of a power cable running to each speaker and needing a socket, you connect with a thinner speaker wire cable (no socket dependencies).
And those wishing for battery-based ones can find them too (see Move and Move 2). If it's more about cheap price, there are abundant variations of cheap Bluetooth speakers that can sound very good... like this one and this one... among many others. And if "spare no expense" (but less expensive than a single iPhone likely usable for only 3-5 years before you are buying again) is your thing, consider something like this.
I'm a near Apple everything guy but I very much embrace Receiver + "dumb" speakers for home theater and the Sonos options in rooms where a HP-like speaker seems best fit. Mac + iDevice + AppleTV Siri "smarts(?)" can control it all like HP... but it all has much more flexibility than the tight constraints on HPs within the walled garden.
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Agreed! My Acoustat Model 3's are alive and well. Hey, if they were good enough for Steve Jobs, they are good enough for me.
Gen1 and Gen2 have different audio profiles do they most likely don’t stereo pair for the same reason Gen2 and mini don’t stereo pair.
I imagine the team that works on Siri is not the same team that works on HomePod, so they can probably make updates to both at the same time.
lots of folks hate Siri, and I get it, but Siri has been largely functional for me. I don't ask terribly complex things of it, but it functions (for the most) part just fine.
Siri works fine for me (and my 7 Hompods) and likely millions of others. Especially when accessing Apple Music.
Time to find something new to rag on.
First point -> Spot on.
Second point -> Same here - I have no issues with Siri. Siri is just another opportunity for many to take a swing at Apple (similar to Tim Cook).
Marketing materials continued refusal to show the non-detachable usb-c cable is false advertising 101.
I get that and I do appreciate a privacy focus. However, there are sooooo many products and services that are not focused on data harvesting as a primary business model. A lot of home automation products have their own skills. What about major sports leagues... MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, PL and on... are missing out on connecting with their fanbases on the HomePod platform. Other music or podcast services (I know, not all Apple's fault, but I doubt they give a darn). Connecting to your car...
I have 3 minis and 2 normal HomePods. Biggest issue for me is integrated cable. To hard to move them around. My wish would be a Bluetooth enabled, detachable power and maybe a battery included. Thats it
Edit: also Stereo pair with hompepods
Edit: also Stereo pair with hompepods
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Yes, yes there are always excuses. But again, "dumb" speakers can be paired at any time with any speakers from any manufacturers. A single for-profit entity isn't making that decision for all owners of any particular speaker gen if the "dumb" part isn't absolutely married to the "smart" part.
HomePod Mini Teardown Confirms Power Cord Can't Be Removed
Apple's newly released HomePod mini features a USB-C power cord that plugs into a separate power adapter, and there was speculation that the cord...
www.macrumors.com
EDIT: Sorry, I think I misunderstood your post. I believe you are saying it is disingenuous for marketing photos to hide the cable in a way that implies the speaker is wireless. I totally agree with you.
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Stop punishing yourself with a mediocre product and just get Sonos. Everything works.
The achilles heel of HomePod is Siri.
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Well, it took them 3 years to realize they should link up the Apple TV and stereo Homepods. So don't hold your breath.